Starmer in Beijing. Citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) will be able to travel to China for thirty days without visas as part of a new cooperation initiative between the two countries, Starmer announced in Beijing today. It marks the first visit to China by a UK prime minister since 2018. The UK aims to cultivate a “more sophisticated” relationship with the country given China’s “vital” role in international affairs, Starmer said.
EU-Vietnam partnership. Brussels and Hanoi upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during a visit to Vietnam today by European Council President António Costa. The label is Vietnam’s highest diplomatic ranking and until now had been reserved for partners like China, Russia, and the United States. The EU has had a trade deal with Vietnam, its largest trade partner in Southeast Asia, since 2020.
Guinea sanctions relief. The Economic Community of West African States announced yesterday it had lifted sanctions on Guinea imposed after a 2021 coup. It cited the conclusion of Guinea’s December presidential elections as the reason for the policy change. Multiple opposition candidates were banned from participating in that vote, which saw former junta leader Mamady Doumbouya elected president.
Switzerland’s military spending. The country announced plans yesterday to increase defense spending by roughly $40 billion beginning in 2028, citing a “more volatile and insecure” world. Authorities said they would fund the increase through a sales tax hike. The plan is projected to raise Switzerland’s defense spending to up to 1.5 percent of GDP.
Immigration agents on leave. Two federal immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis Saturday have been placed on leave, the Department of Homeland Security said yesterday. Following backlash to the killing, Trump said Tuesday the government would slightly “de-escalate” its immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis, without providing further details.
South Korean first lady convicted. For the first time, the country’s judiciary yesterday convicted a former first lady of corruption. Kim Keon Hee, wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, was found guilty of accepting luxury goods in exchange for government favors. She denied the allegations ahead of the ruling, but said afterward she would accept the verdict. She was sentenced yesterday to twenty months in prison. Meanwhile, Yoon was recently convicted in a separate trial for charges related to his 2024 declaration of martial law.
Turkey’s anti-espionage sting. Government security forces detained six people accused of spying for Iran after raids in multiple parts of the country yesterday, state broadcaster TRT reported. The crackdown comes as Turkey tries to position itself as a mediator between Washington and Tehran in a bid to avoid U.S. military action against Iran. Iran’s foreign minister is due to visit Turkey tomorrow.
The Fed holds. For the first time since July, the U.S. Federal Reserve decided yesterday to hold interest rates steady rather than slash them. Though Trump has urged the central bank to reduce borrowing costs, Fed Chair Jerome Powell cited an economy that “surprised us with its strength,” including through signs of stabilization in the labor market.
